In Focus
China’s President and EU heads meet for the 25th China-EU Summit
Femy Francis
On 24 July, China’s President Xi Jinping meets the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Beijing. This is part of the 25th China-EU summit, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two entities. Ursula, before the trip, posted on social media: “Touch down in Beijing, as we mark 50 years of ties between Europe and China. This summit presents an opportunity to both advance and rebalance our relationship. I'm convinced there can be a mutually beneficial cooperation. One that can define the next 50 years of our relations.” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Guo Jiankun, stated that both China and the EU are at a critical juncture, as they confront new opportunities and challenges based on past achievements. The summit aims to further bilateral ties between the two, as deepening cooperation will enhance the interests of both and the larger world, as expressed by Guo. The summit aims to discuss the trade relations, rare earths, trade deficit of the EU, climate change, EVs, and the overcapacity of Chinese industries.
Ursula also called the meeting essential to rebalance the trade ties with China, as Xi Jinping called the meeting an “inflection point” in their relations. Expectations are low from the visit after weeks of escalation in trade tensions, with the meeting being cut down to a single-day visit. Ursula mentioned that their cooperation has deepened, but so has their imbalance as they reach a point of inflection. She hinted at the EU's trade deficit with China, which has increased to USD 360 billion by 2024. Therefore, calling for recalibrated relations and the acknowledgement by both China and the EU of respective concerns going forward.
Xi Jinping urged the EU to make “correct and strategic choices,” while criticizing the EU’s hawkish view of China. Xi stated to Ursula that the more severe and complex the world geopolitics is, the more China and the EU should engage in communication to enhance mutual trust and cooperation. He called for the European leaders to make choices to meet the expectations of the people. Before this visit, both were engaged in tit-for tat trade tensions, where Ursula in July accused China of flooding the global markets with their overcapacity of supply, which has supported Russia’s war economy.
China’s Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) also made some comments before the summit, and noted that the Chinese companies remain firm and committed to the EU market, as they stand ready to contribute to Europe’s economy, said Secretary General of CCCEU, Fang Dongkui. He noted that since 2025, the European leaders have expressed a commitment to enhancing bilateral economic investments. He called to pair European industrial expertise with China’s clean technology to escalate decarbonization efforts.
Background to trade tensions (2024-2025)
After the EU launched its anti-subsidy probe against Chinese EV exports, China imposed an anti-dumping investigation on the EU's brandy imports in January 2024. In April 2024, the EU announces that it will investigate subsidies received by Chinese suppliers of wind turbines. In June 2024, China investigates anti-dumping of pork imports from the EU, and later in August, they probes dairy imports by the EU. China in October of 2024, imposes anti-dumping tariffs on the EU’s brandy imports, and the EU approves tariffs of 35.3 per cent against Chinese EVs for five years. In 2025, the EU bans Chinese companies from accessing public tenders to buy medical devices, and China restricts the purchase of medical devices from the EU by the government to USD 6.3 million. The EU also sanctioned Chinese firms under the Russia-based sanctions list.
References:
“Xi meets European Council president, European Commission president in Beijing,” Global Times, 24 July 2025
“EU leaders arrive in Beijing for 25th China-EU Summit,” CGTN, 24 July 2025
“EU's von der Leyen says China ties are at 'inflection point' at tense summit,” Reuters, 24 July 2025
“Chinese firms committed to EU market, ready to support Europe’s growth under fair, transparent and predictable conditions: chamber head,” Global Times, 24 July 2025
“Key moments in EU-China trade frictions,” Reuters, 23 July 2025
